John Sampson's Story

We are in Celestia’s big conference room again, this time contemplating some serious action. I have a presentation to make.

“Everything that I am going to tell you can be witnessed in my memories. I will open them for inspection by any who desires.

“While escorting Luna for the Celebration I noticed some Minotaurs acting in a threatening manner. I sent Luna into the Castle via teleport to notify Celestia and Steel. Night Guard Captain Dark Sword took Luna’s place to serve as bait for the Minotaurs and any other threat. Captain Swift Trail came out to the dais as a courier to carry messages between myself and Steel. The Minotaurs attacked at that moment and I sent Swift into the Castle escorted by Dark. Swift is missing and Dark is dead after the attack is thwarted. Swift’s saddle bags containing my clothes and sword disappeared with her.

“The sword has a large Sun Sigil in the pommel and Celestia was able to trace it to a mine southeast of Appleloosa. I entered the mine and recovered the saddlebags with the sword still in them. There was an image of Swift being projected into the mine from elsewhere. Moving the saddlebags triggered a complete collapse of the mine. It was a trap tailored to kill my human body but partially ascended, I was able to escape.

“Investigation in the town of Appleloosa yielded two ponies that had contact with the outsiders that had arrived by rail with equipment and claiming to be reopening the mine. They started work weeks ago, so this is an organized, long term plan. The Mine Inspector has paper records of each individual that registered to work in the mine and I have his memories with face, coat, and cutie all clear and complete on every one of them. The pony that signed off as superintendent of the mine was Blueblood himself.

“Do we have enough to bring him in and force a memory search? Or to raid the compound and find some of the henchponies?”

Twilight speaks first, “We most certainly have enough to ask a lot of questions.”

Luna goes next, “I want my friend Swift back.”

Shining speaks bluntly, “I want point on the entry team.”

Cadance has a question, “Have we considered going public with this? Lay it all out in front of the ponies and let them put pressure on Blueblood?”

Celestia answers that, “Too many dangerous things could come out with it. Remember that Blueblood has been pilfering in the palace.”

Steel says simply, “I want to stand next to Shining.”

And my opinion, “Steel and Shining can flip a coin to decide who gets my left and who gets my right.”

AJ says, “I only care about one thing. I want Swift back.”

Celestia is looking at me, “I need another option.”

I think for a moment, “Do we have a neutral third party? Somepony who could go to Blueblood and arrange a meeting. We could ‘explore options’ with them.”

Celestia is still looking at me, “Would you make and honor an agreement with them?”

“I will do anything to get Swift back whole and healthy. And I will leave no trace of his herd alive if he harms her.”

Celestia says, “I have had some dealings with his lawyer, Civil Hassler. I believe she could arrange something. Do you have any preferences as to location?”

“I don’t care, though I do wish I had full wings to rub his nose in how badly he has screwed up. Steel and Shining, if we are going to negotiate you can relax the blockade to simple observation.”

Celestia adds, “Look around. You’re doing better than you think.”

I look and they are small but fully shaped wings. I flexed them and grin.

“I guess that’s why I’m so hungry. Well, now you have at least until mid morning. I’m going to go get a big breakfast and make my debut among friends.”

It’s fitting that my first real public display of myself as an Alicorn is going to be my morning breakfast. These ponies have always been my friends and supporters.

I walk in to the cafeteria to a sudden hush and, about a second later, applause. At the order window I ask for a twelve egg, cheese, and chicken omelet with three bowls of oatmeal and two large fruit bowls. When they are ready, I tag them with my magic and head for a table with a veritable parade of food trays in tow. Steel walks in just then and laughs.

“Hey, the wings gotta come from somewhere.” I retort.

Most of the crowd laughs at that one. The world is better now. I still have my anchor.

After breakfast, I check in with Celestia. No news.

“Celestia, I haven’t meant to leave you out of the new methods. It’s just that we need a few hours of mind walking to get it all down and every time I try to set that up, shit happens. I’ll be with Luna today but maybe, if nothing happens, we can do something tonight. I need to show you some memories at the least.”

“And I have some things I need to show you. Some you might find useful. If we haven’t heard anything by nightfall, I think it will be safe enough.”

“I’ll see you then, at the latest.”

Luna is waiting for me in the kitchen.

“Have some tea, Stallion John.”

“Thank you my very very good Friend Luna.”

“Thy young wings be in sore need of attention.”

“I believe they have had a trying day. Even with tiny nubs I cannot deny the urge to sweep and soar with the rest of you. And that doesn’t count blasting through the mine.”

“’twere a rare sight, Friend John. Thou hast displayed an excellent mimicry of a volcano.”

We move to the main room so that I have space to spread my wing a little. The thought staggers me. My wings are growing that much.

“Thou art going to possess a magnificent spread, Stallion John. I dream of our dance among the clouds.”

“I do too, my Magnificent Mare. I have dreamed since shortly after arriving in Equestria. So much of this has a feeling of fate.”

“Remember, Friend John, that thou art in Equestria and in Equestria fate hath a name.”

“I understand that. But have you ever wondered why the summoning chose me? Maybe fate had some help from destiny.”

Time to move over a little so I can work on the other wing.

“Luna, this is a prime example. I’m sitting here as a talking equine preening my wings with my magic fingers while I discuss my destiny with a magical equine princess. Three years ago I would have laughed at any part of that statement as absurdly impossible. Today it’s not just completely normal for me but it feels like what was missing from my previous life. Equestria is my home at a level that Terra never was.

“Would this not be a part of thy great Oath?”

“You’ve got your cause and effect mixed. I wrote that oath because I wanted this result. I didn’t know that magic would enforce it for me but I fully intended to enforce it with my own will.”

Luna is saved from more of my introspection by the arrival of a Guard courier.

“Princess Celestia requests the presence of Prince John in Her private office as soon as possible.”

I return the courier’s salute and she leaves.

“Luna, I’ll bet you whatever you want to lose that a lawyer is ready to talk. I think I’ll go as human.”

I pull my small sword and clothes out of my wizard’s pocket and make the change. Then I dress and take off for the office.

Celestia is entertaining a middle aged Unicorn mare when I enter.

“Prince John, this is Civil Hassler, attorney for the Blueblood coalition.”

She bows and I nod then sit on the floor. That puts me at about her standing eyeball height.

Celestia speaks first, “John, there’s been a fire in Appleloosa that destroyed the County Assayer’s office and seriously injured the Assayer.”

“Really? Then I guess it’s good I made verifiable copies. And we can add arson to the list of crimes. What can I do for you, councilor?”

Celestia again, “She wants to know the exact nature of the disagreement between you and Blueblood.”

“What have you told her?”

“Nothing”

So I turn to the good counselor and unfold the entire story from crooked contracts to kidnapped mare with baited trap.

She smiles at me and said, “That’s a bunch rumor and innuendo. You have no proof that my client is involved in any of that.”

I stand and draw my sword. The counselor visibly shrinks as I turn the sword around and present the pommel to her.

“Remember this part of the story? I recovered this from the mine near Appleloosa, the mine your client signed off on as superintendent. I have complete images of your client with cutie visible claiming it as his mine just days before.”

“You couldn’t possibly . . .”

Sitting, I explain, “I just told you about the Earth pony that smoked five high level Unicorns in a head to head magic battle that lasted less than a minute. You don’t have the first clue what is possible for me. Swift’s safety and my respect for Celestia are the only things between your clients and total annihilation. It is very much in your clients’ best interest to get Swift back to me healthy and happy.”

“Can you actually prove any of that?”

“What would you consider an adequate demonstration?”

“How about a magic sparring with me?”

“Not in the Castle.”

“Can’t handle it?”

“Last time I magic sparred with Shining Armor, Colonel Steel stopped it because we were threatening the structure of the Castle. I promised not to do it again.”

“See what I mean? That’s just another wild claim.”

“We could have Shining and Steel here in minutes or you and I could pick a convenient open field.”

“Do you think you could stop me if I went after you?”

I kick in high speed, stand and step over the councilor lightly touching the tip of her horn. Then I drop my speed.

“Yes.”

I go back to where I was and sit down again.

“That represents almost two percent of possible. Would you like more demonstration? In fact, why don’t we have the next demonstration somewhere neutral and you can bring your client.”

“I’ll have to get back to you with his reply.”

“Don’t take too long.”

The learned lawyer exits the office and as soon as she is safely down the hall I get out of the scabbard and clothes. Going to A-Pony, I stuff it all in my wizard’s pocket and turn to Celestia.

“Damned, that feels so much better.”

“You look about ready to fly, John.”

“I feel past ready to fly but I can’t do it around here until we’re done with Blueblood. The bastard is just screwing up so many things in my life. Right now I feel like lunch and lunch and lunch. Would you like to eat and talk?”

“I would like that very much, John. What would you like to eat?”

“I’m easy. Anything with massive quantities of fish will satisfy me. The annoying part is not being able to go out right now.”

“How about we go to my kitchen and have five servings of fish and rice brought in.”

“You’ve got plenty of fruit already there?”

“Yes.”

“Lets go.”

We make ourselves comfortable at Celestia’s kitchen table and she jumps right in.

“What are these ‘new methods’ I keep hearing about? That old Unicorn was certainly impressed.”

“I just found a number of Terran techniques that can be used with Equestrian magic. I’ve adapted a file browser like used in my phone to organize memories. It can be learned in minutes and suddenly everypony has wizard class mind organization.”

The food arrives and I become distracted.

Celestia isn’t as diverted, “But how does that explain the things you can do that nopony else can do?”

“Look at me right now. I see my manipulation magic as invisible hands. It took a major mental adjustment for me to eat with magic. I have a lifetime of conditioning behind me that says that eating with your fingers is dirty. It makes no sense at all for magic but the mental block was substantial. You have some of those common to all Equestrians. I don’t because I didn’t grow up in Equestria. So I just do things for no other reason than nopony has told me I can’t. Magic doesn’t care. It goes where the will directs it.”

“So that’s what the old Unicorn meant when he said that you were the wizard that Equestria needs. You ignore the conventional wisdom and make your own way.”

“Yep. It’s exactly the same as your stallion problem. The noble herds just keep doing the same thing that grandpa did, even though it doesn’t work, until they’ve all descended to either mediocrity or madness and you have to look outside for a bloodline that can revive Equestria.

“And you, more than anything else, are looking for a vacation. That’s why you keep throwing that ‘deity’ label at me. I’m going to be the new sun god so you can sleep in for the first time in over a thousand years. What you missed is that your summoning was better than you expected. Anypony that is capable of taking care of a whole world for a thousand years without a break is my kind of pony. I have always had a compulsion to take care of others and keep them safe. That’s what I did on Terra at a very high wizard equivalent rank. So I don’t mind spelling you in the daily grind. Now you can settle down while we work on the details of the rest of our relationship.”

“What are you trying to tell me, John?”

“I’m trying to tell you that you can trust me and rely on me. I accept the nomination to adoptive parent for Equestria. I feel myself growing into the role. You can relax and start planning some relief for yourself. What I want is for your trust to grow enough to let me in to your heart. That’s what will make the millennia bearable.”

“Now I understand. You want to be co ruler and co deity and live with me every day but you want to take your time with our relationship and dance our complex dance so we can draw the fun out for centuries.”

“Pretty close. As a side issue I also have obligations to Luna, Twilight, AJ, and Swift that I won’t walk away from.”

“I don’t think I could trust you if you did. And, after all, you are a stallion. We have agreement.”

“Good, now I want to go flying. Have you noticed how intimidating Alicorns can be with their size and wingspread? When we go to meet Blueblood, I want us to fly in and land damned near on top of him as the all powerful Rulers of Equestria come to solve his problem. It will set the tone for any negotiation and me in full Alicorn mode should shock the shit out of him. We just need to do it out of sight so we don’t spoil the surprise.”

“We can take care of that.”

And we are back in a familiar courtyard. I take a final look at my borrowed memories, turn to face the wind, open my wings to their full span, and feel the wind. No thought is required. I raise, cup, sweep and I’m forty yards from the ground. I sweep again and again. The castle looks small way down there but I don’t care. I have the complete freedom of the sky and life is good. Celestia is coming up behind me. I'm not going to let it happen. I tuck and dive kicking in the gliding pony thrust. I’m going very fast when I pull up just above the trees and leave shredded vegetation in my wake. Celestia is ‘that’ way so I loop around and drop to a glide as I pass her.

“John, what in the hell are you doing?”

“Having fun?”

“I mean how are you going so fast without using wings?”

“I’m using wings. You just don’t need as much wing when you go fast. I collapse my wings as the speed increases so that I maintain just enough wing to provide lift. That reduces the drag and lets me go faster. I’m using gliding pony thrust for power. I almost went mach but I decided to put that off for another day.”

“Went mach?”

“Terran term. Means exceed the speed of sound.”

“John, professional stunt fliers train for years and dream of doing it. You did it in your first five minutes?”

“My way only works for Alicorns. You need wings and levitation at the same time.”

“Oh. This is another of those ‘because nopony told me you couldn’t’ moments, isn’t it?”

“Yep. It also happens to be how Terran aircraft work. I’m going to go practice dramatic landings.”

I arrived at a combination of levitation and wing that is controllable and likely to blow bystanders off their feet.

Celestia is waiting at the spot where we arrived, “Ready?”

“Yes. And thanks. This has done wonders for my psyche.”

When we get back a message is waiting.

The good counselor and Blueblood want to meet at a restaurant in Canterlot just after sundown.

I ask Celestia, “Do we know anything about this place?”

She replies, “It’s an open courtyard with streets all around and a kitchen behind.”

“Not very private. Not much way to sneak either. He will try to provoke something with witnesses all around. Can we send somepony in and reserve the whole place?”

“He’s probably already done that.”

“Let’s make sure. It will be ideal for our grand entrance.”

The courier returns to report that the Royal Herd has reserved the entire restaurant with the lawyer and party listed as guests and has comped dinners for everypony bumped.

It is time. We go to the balcony and Celestia performs her evening duty then we launch off the balcony and over Canterlot. Celestia is leading and will make the first landing. There is a large crowd gathered on the street. I guess word got around from the displaced diners. Celestia glides in and walks through the gate. I follow almost as gracefully. Blueblood and his councilor are seated at the center table.

As we walk up the counselor asks, “When will John Sampson be here?”

I reply, “Prince John is here.”

She looks around, “Where?”

“Right here in mid demonstration. Remember when I told you that you didn’t have a clue what I was capable of.”

She’s looking me over carefully now, “Is this real?”

“Completely. Remember my Oath? I’m the best pony I can possibly be. I chose that because pony is what I want to be. And I ascended the old fashion way, by my own hard work and skill.”

She switches to Celestia, “Do you verify this, Your Majesty?”

Celestia replies, “Yes I do. I took his original Oath and recognized his potential as a world class wizard then. It has been very exciting watching him grow into his pony persona. I don’t know if I’m strong enough to sever all ties with the universe of my birth and start the process of becoming an Alicorn all over again in a strange land. He did it.”

She turns back to me, “I want to apologize, Your Majesty. When you started casually making statements about having strong enough magic to threaten the structure of the Castle, I never imagined anything like this.”

I respond, “No problem. We’ve been keeping it in the Herd for good reasons. This is my public debut.”

Celestia has had enough, “None of this is why we are here. What do you two have to offer to settle our dispute?”

Blueblood responds, “What dispute? All I know about is your attacks on my properties. I just want you to leave me alone.”

I ask, “So you deny holding Duchess Captain Swift Trail hostage to lure me into a trap?”

He sneered, “Of course I do and you can’t prove different.”

I smile, “Wanna bet?” I called my small sword out of my wizard’s pocket and reversed it.

“I found that in the bottom of your mine along with an image of Swift. It was in Swift’s saddle bags when she was abducted. Celestia tracked it by the sigil. She can testify to that.”

He is defiant, “Even if all that is true, I have holdings all over Equestria. Anypony could have trespassed on a mine I’ve never even seen in person and you can’t prove otherwise.”

Turning to Civil Hassler, “I can show it to you in detail if you would care to take a little mind walk.”

She looks skeptical.

I nod at Celestia, “Celestia is here to insure that both of us stay safe. Do you trust her?”

She nods, “Go ahead.”

I start at landing on the hill and play the entire mine incident through to sorting the old Assayer’s memories then I play his memories of Blueblood registering and certifying the mine.

“There’s a lot more like it. We can drag them all out if you want to make a Court out of it.”

She turns to Blueblood, “Make a deal. You’re way over your head already.”

Blueblood asks, “What do you want, Princess?”

Celestia replies, “I want you to stop stealing but the aggrieved party today is Prince John.”

He turns to me, “How much do you want?”

I reply, “I want one . . . pony. I want Swift healthy and happy.”

He thinks a moment, “What guarantees do I have that you will leave me alone?”

“Look at me. This is the kind of strength my oaths have. My word is more than enough.”

He’s getting crafty, “How would the exchange be made?”

“You teleported her out, just go get her and bring her back here. And remember that she has my oath too.”

He’s beginning to get creepy, “And I get to keep all my money and all my other mares?”

“Just as a matter of curiosity, how many other mares do you have?”

“Other than this one, twenty eight. But we have plenty of time to go before spring.”

“Damned, that’s a crowd. How do you keep that many in your house?”

“Oh, they’re not here. I’ve got a big secure place to keep them out in the country.”

“How big are your balls? I’ll put my mares against your mares in a good old fashion stallion challenge.”

“How many mares you got?”

“Counting the one I’m here to get, six. I prefer quality to quantity. Besides, I don’t have to keep them when I’ve got Royal Privilege.”

“And if I beat you I get Royal Privilege?”

“Yep. Now all we need is a big enough place to gather all the mares and have room to fight.”

“I’ll send a message for you when it’s ready. Bring all of your mares and bring that cunt too. She might as well be yours for all the good she’s done me.”

And he teleports out.

I sum it up, “That pony is not sane.”